In this recap, I am going to share what we did at home for more hands-on learning related to Classical Conversations Cycle 3 Week 14: Bible, History, Geography, and Science memory work. I will also link our favorite picture books and share my tutor board.
Let's dive right into what we did for Week 14!
Bible:
Resource: Foundations of the Bible vol.3 | Bible Memory Songs | Hymnology Cards
This week, we learned about Jesus’ 12 disciples. We focused on the first five: Peter, John, James, Andrew, and Philip. We learned about each of their stories, their weaknesses, and their strengths. We also learned a life lesson for each disciple.
It’s very encouraging to learn about these ordinary men whom the Lord chose to work through. I hope you are enjoying this week’s lesson!
Note: This study pairs with each week of the CC optional Bible memory work, but you can go at your own pace because there is SO much to learn. You can also jump in at any time — it’s not too late. Anyone can do this study, not just CC families. Learn more about the Foundations collection here.
History:
Resource: Story of the World Book (Match Up List) | Story of the World Series | Real Cool History for Kids Podcast
Activity: Make a telephone with a cup
We read Story of the World and several fun picture books about the Industrial Age. We made a telephone from a plastic cup, string, and paper clip. This was a hit with the kids after we learned about the invention of the telephone.
Listen to the Real Cool History for Kids podcast to find some fun episodes for this week.
Science:
Resources: Learning with Friends Year 3 Bundle | CC Connected Sandbox File
Activity: Color or draw the periodic table
The kids colored a blank periodic table to match the element colors. This helped them get familiar with the periodic table and learn what each of the colors represents. Our science unit suggested drawing the periodic table with chalk outside, but I decided to make a watercolor version since it was cold.
To make the periodic table, I just drew a rectangle that was 18cm by 7cm. There are 18 squares across and 7 squares down, so each square will be 1cm wide. The lower rectangle is 15cm by 2cm with 15 squares across and 2 down. Then just watercolor each of the squares. Once they are dry, write the abbreviations.
The kids loved watching me do this, and it was actually relaxing. If you have younger kids, I recommend sketching the table for them and just letting them paint it. If you have older kids, it's a great way to tie in the math memory work by using centimeters for linear measurements.
Geography:
Resources: CC Sandbox Geography page | Drawing the USA
Each week, we find the mountains on a map from the CC Sandbox file. We color code them and do show me / tell me method. Something fun for this week is to listen to a podcast by Real Cool History for Kids (Episode #101) to learn about Mount St. Helens and its volcanic eruption in 1980. This podcast is created by Angela O'Dell who is the author of the Christian history book for Master Books. Each podcast episode is about 15 minutes and shares history with a biblical perspective. It's really good!
Library Books:
Here are some books we enjoyed this week:
- Alexander Graham Bell Answers the Call by Mary Ann Fraser
- The Christmas Tugboat: How the Rockefeller Christmas Tree came to New York City by George Matteson — The Rockefeller center is named after John Rockefeller.
- Exploring the Elements: A Complete guide to the Periodic Table by Isabel Thomas
- Industrial Revolution by Susan E. Hamen
- The Inventor's Secret: What Thomas Edison told Henry Ford by Suzanne Slade
- Locomotive by Brian Floca
- The Man Who Loved Libraries: The Story of Andrew Carnegie by Andrew Larsen
- The Stourbridge Lion: America's First Locomotive by Karl Zimmermann
- Thomas Edison: Lighting the Way by Lori Haskins Houran
- Usborne Lift-the-Flap Periodic Table by Alice James — I just grabbed this book and the other Usborne book in this list after the recommendation from a friend to add to our home library.
- Usborne See Inside Atom and Molecules by Rosie Dickins
- The Twelve Apostles by Marianna Mayer — Pairs with the Bible memory work as we learn about the lives of the 12 disciples.
Tutoring: How to Make Tutor Board
Here's a look at my week 14 tutor board.
YouTube: Week 14 Playlist
I created my first YouTube channel to record all the songs and hand motions I want to use with the kids. I've compiled each subject's songs into a weekly playlist. I create this primarily to help the parents in my class review the motions with their kids at home. I also think this is a great resource for other tutors to use to build their plans for the week.
If you are a parent and not tutoring, the "best practice" for CC is to let the tutor introduce the memory work in class for the first time on community day. You then review the week's memory work with your child until the next CC community day. You ideally use the methods you saw the tutor use in class at home with your child.
For a good laugh:
Watch this SNL skit about George Washington's dream for a new nation. Talks all about liquid and metric measurements that we've been learning the last few weeks. Very funny!
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